The Top 5 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks: My Fantasy Football Guide, Part II
I normally detest ties in arbitrary, superfluous internet lists but I don’t think there was any way to do this without including both of these NFL quarterbacks. Most think that a Donovan McNabb sans T.O. is a useful as Michael Vick (fantasy football speaking), but I wholeheartedly disagree. McNabb is a top fantasy QB and was before the Terrell Owens tornado swept through Philly. Most reports that I’ve read have Donovan in the best shape of his life, his Syracuse days included. Reggie Brown is a talented wide receiver and his progression will help McNabb who desperately needs a go-to guy. On the other hand, Eli Manning is only on this list because of his weapons. The New York Giants arguably, with my allegiance aside, have the most talented set of skill players in the NFL. Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey, Amani Toomer, Tiki Barber, rookie Sinorice Moss- Eli Manning will have to work very hard to get off the 2007 list of Top Fantasy Football Quarterbacks.
4. Matt Hasselback
Matt Hasselback was a model of consistency last season. He was top ten in every major category and his interception total was the lowest of any member of this list. It should also be noted that Hasselback did most of this with an oft-injured receiver corps. Last year was also Hasselback’s coming out party in a way. The quarterback was not terribly well known before last season’s Super Bowl run and his stellar play under pressure only adds to his fantasy value.
3. Tom Brady
I’m not sold yet that Tom Brady’s 2005 season wasn’t a fantasy fluke. Nobody’s denying how good the all-pro is in the clutch but with Bill Belichick’s run first mentality and a new rookie running back in tow, I wouldn’t be surprised if Brady’s fantasy stats fall this season. That’s not to say he won’t have a great year. Like Hasselback, Brady is a model for fantasy football consistency. It might be hard to top his NFL best 4,110 yards but he’s not going to kill you with a lot of interceptions and bad games.
2. Carson Palmer
A lot of people are weary to put Carson Palmer over Tom Brady on this list because of the knee injury he suffered in the 2005 NFL Playoffs, but I think he’s worth the risk. Palmer became the first Bengal in history to lead the NFL in touchdown tosses last season with 32 and his QB Rating was second only to the number one man on this list. The Bengals offense is scary with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzedah, two star wideouts in the making. If Rudy Johnson has another big year, the passing game should stay hot in Cincinnati and in your fantasy football league.
1. Peyton Manning
No surprise. Unless anyone consistently proves it otherwise, the best NFL quarterback (in terms of fantast football) is Peyton Manning. Coming off a down year and with the loss of his running back Edgerrin James to Arizona, Manning should be throwing more often and with a vengeance in 2006. His second best 28 touchdown passes was nothing compared to his record 2005 output of 49, but using some high-powered math skills I have deduced that Manning should pump out either 38 or 39 to lead the NFL this season. He might not be the unanimous first pick overall that he was last season but your league is stupid if he’s not the first quarterback selected.
